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Disclaimer: The accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the maps and illustrations on this website cannot be guaranteed; such information does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Swiss Confederation.

A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

The FDFA awards mandates to individuals or organisations with specialist expertise for the implementation of specific projects or activities. Mandates and individual institutional consulting mandates are put out for public tender in accordance with the legal requirements

Information on the role of the merchant fleet that the FDFA oversees through the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office, in Basel; registration authority for sea-going yachts and small craft that are used on rivers outside the country and in coastal waters

All news (2621)

13.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Switzerland is extending its humanitarian aid to the Bahamas. Around 70,000 people in the Caribbean island nation are now dependent on aid in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which caused extensive damage and many deaths at the start of September. Five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) were deployed to the affected area on 13 September. Relief supplies in the form of a drinking water system arrived in the Bahamas the day before.

13.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Climate change, land degradation and water scarcity increasingly affect agricultural production and food supply. Around 820 million people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The Federal Council decided at its meeting on 13 September 2019 to contribute CHF 33.1 million for the period 2020–21 to the CGIAR, previously known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Through this contribution, as well as through its strong scientific expertise and the work of its universities, Switzerland is playing its part in efforts to find innovative solutions for high-quality food and sustainable natural resource management.

13.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

13.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
On the afternoon of Friday, 13 September, the Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, welcomed Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, Savita Kovind, to Bern with military honours to mark the state visit to Switzerland. During the official talks that followed, discussions focused on bilateral relations, in particular the opportunities presented by a free trade agreement, and cooperation on environmental matters. Further topics addressed included global issues and India’s regional situation.

09.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Graubünden cantonal government for talks in Bern on 9 September 2019. The meeting, which focused on the institutional agreement with the European Union (EU) and the promotion of Switzerland's minority languages, was part of ongoing efforts by Mr Cassis to engage in structured political dialogue with the cantonal governments of Graubünden and Ticino.

06.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and India are close and have long been characterised by high mutual esteem. The state visit by President Ram Nath Kovind to Switzerland this year continues the series of regular contacts between the two countries. The Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, will receive the head of state of the Republic of India in Bern with military honours on the afternoon of Friday, 13 September.

02.09.2019
—
Press release
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz on Monday, 2 September 2019 in Lucerne during events to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Israel. The two ministers discussed various bilateral issues and the situation in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Mr Katz will also pay a courtesy visit to Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation.

30.08.2019
—
Press release
EDA
On 30 August 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin met with members of the Nidwalden Cantonal Council in Bern. At the heart of the talks was the economic conditions in Switzerland as a centre for industry. Also discussed was the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad.

26.08.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened this year's Ambassadors and International Network Conference of Swiss ambassadors in Bern. The event will focus on three key topics for the FDFA – namely Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision, foreign policy strategy for the period 2020-23, and the development of a new career profile for diplomatic staff – with a view to shaping and expanding Switzerland's future foreign policy.

21.08.2019
—
Press release
EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At its meeting of 21 August 2019, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF 30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. With this funding and its expertise, Switzerland aims to reduce global health risks while strengthening Geneva's position as a centre of excellence in the field of global health.

21.08.2019
—
Press release
EDA
On 21 August 2019, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland would support a political declaration of intent (compact) on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in UN field operations. The compact between the Federal Council and the UN Secretary-General sets out measures, which, although legally non-binding on either party, are consistent with the zero tolerance policy the Federal Council has set out in Switzerland’s priorities for the UN.

Media (2394)

13.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland is extending its humanitarian aid to the Bahamas. Around 70,000 people in the Caribbean island nation are now dependent on aid in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which caused extensive damage and many deaths at the start of September. Five experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) were deployed to the affected area on 13 September. Relief supplies in the form of a drinking water system arrived in the Bahamas the day before.

13.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Climate change, land degradation and water scarcity increasingly affect agricultural production and food supply. Around 820 million people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The Federal Council decided at its meeting on 13 September 2019 to contribute CHF 33.1 million for the period 2020–21 to the CGIAR, previously known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Through this contribution, as well as through its strong scientific expertise and the work of its universities, Switzerland is playing its part in efforts to find innovative solutions for high-quality food and sustainable natural resource management.

13.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Switzerland adopted its priorities for the 74th UN General Assembly. The Federal Council was informed, at its meeting on 13 September 2019, of the result of the consultations with the Foreign Affairs Committees. The priorities concern the protection of human rights, support for the UN reform processes, and the promotion of science diplomacy. Switzerland will be represented at the high-level opening of the UN General Assembly at the end of September by President of the Confederation Ueli Maurer and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

13.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
On the afternoon of Friday, 13 September, the Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, welcomed Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, Savita Kovind, to Bern with military honours to mark the state visit to Switzerland. During the official talks that followed, discussions focused on bilateral relations, in particular the opportunities presented by a free trade agreement, and cooperation on environmental matters. Further topics addressed included global issues and India’s regional situation.

09.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the Graubünden cantonal government for talks in Bern on 9 September 2019. The meeting, which focused on the institutional agreement with the European Union (EU) and the promotion of Switzerland's minority languages, was part of ongoing efforts by Mr Cassis to engage in structured political dialogue with the cantonal governments of Graubünden and Ticino.

06.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and India are close and have long been characterised by high mutual esteem. The state visit by President Ram Nath Kovind to Switzerland this year continues the series of regular contacts between the two countries. The Federal Council, led by President Ueli Maurer, will receive the head of state of the Republic of India in Bern with military honours on the afternoon of Friday, 13 September.

02.09.2019 —
Press release
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz on Monday, 2 September 2019 in Lucerne during events to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Israel. The two ministers discussed various bilateral issues and the situation in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Mr Katz will also pay a courtesy visit to Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation.

30.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
On 30 August 2019, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin met with members of the Nidwalden Cantonal Council in Bern. At the heart of the talks was the economic conditions in Switzerland as a centre for industry. Also discussed was the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad.

26.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has opened this year's Ambassadors and International Network Conference of Swiss ambassadors in Bern. The event will focus on three key topics for the FDFA – namely Switzerland's 2028 Foreign Policy Vision, foreign policy strategy for the period 2020-23, and the development of a new career profile for diplomatic staff – with a view to shaping and expanding Switzerland's future foreign policy.

21.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
Every year, 2.5 million people die of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. At its meeting of 21 August 2019, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF 30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. With this funding and its expertise, Switzerland aims to reduce global health risks while strengthening Geneva's position as a centre of excellence in the field of global health.

21.08.2019 —
Press release
EDA
On 21 August 2019, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland would support a political declaration of intent (compact) on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in UN field operations. The compact between the Federal Council and the UN Secretary-General sets out measures, which, although legally non-binding on either party, are consistent with the zero tolerance policy the Federal Council has set out in Switzerland’s priorities for the UN.

Other news (227)

21.08.2019 —
EDA
At its meeting of 21 August 2019, the Federal Council appointed FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl as the new head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York. She will serve as State Secretary until the end of 2019 and will take up her new post in spring 2020.

19.08.2019 —
Local news
EDA
From August 19 to September 6, 2019, the FDFA is embarking on a special kind of tour de suisse: as part of the "Meet the Ambassadors" project, Swiss ambassadors will visit their home cantons for eleven days to talk about her work abroad or in the FDFA. The focus is on exchanges with people about foreign policy and the work of diplomats.

14.08.2019 —
EDA
The authority responsible for the implementation of the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) has published its third activity report, covering the period from 1 January–31 December 2018. The authority processed a total of 479 declarations from private security companies. The Federal Council took note of this at its meeting on 14 August 2019.

13.08.2019 —
EDA
A representative survey carried out by Presence Switzerland in 19 countries shows that Switzerland enjoys a very positive image abroad. It earns high marks for its natural beauty, unspoiled environment and well-functioning political system, and also as a centre for business, research and education. The Swiss financial sector enjoys an excellent reputation, with its banks and financial institutions taking the first rank ahead of Germany, the UK and the US. There is however limited public awareness internationally of what Switzerland is doing to promote peace and human rights and address the problems the world is facing today.

05.08.2019 —
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Mozambique on Tuesday 6 August 2019 to attend the signing ceremony of the peace accord, to which Switzerland made a decisive contribution. Various political talks and visits to Swiss aid projects are also on the agenda. Mr Cassis will be accompanied by Councillor of States Damian Müller and National Councillor Thomas Aeschi.

02.08.2019 —
EDA
The FDFA regrets the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty which, since 1987, had banned a particularly destabilising category of nuclear missiles. Termination of the INF Treaty means the loss of an important arms control instrument which has been crucial in contributing to European security.

01.08.2019 —
Article
EDA
To mark the Swiss national holiday, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis is visiting all four language regions of Switzerland. The head of the FDFA will give a speech and meet with locals at Krauchthal (BE), L'Etivaz (VD), Chiasso (TI) and Zuoz (GR).

30.07.2019 —
EDA
The FDFA is no longer pursuing the possibility of a sponsorship with Philip Morris International (PMI) for the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis made this decision so as not to undermine the primary objective of the Swiss presence in Dubai, which is to convey a positive image of Switzerland. Mr Cassis has also instructed Presence Switzerland to revise the FDFA's current sponsorship policy by the end of 2019.

25.07.2019 —
EDA
The FDFA wishes to emphasise that the decision regarding services supplied by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Saudi Arabia was the result of a legal procedure and was therefore not a political decision. The FDFA rejects the assertions made by Weltwoche about State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl in this context.

22.07.2019 —
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl held consultations in Saudi Arabia yesterday. During her visit she met various Saudi and Swiss stakeholders based in the country. The trip follows on from recent contacts with various Gulf states where Ms Baeriswyl discussed the current situation and offered Switzerland's good offices to help ease tensions. To this end, Switzerland applauds the recent evacuation of an Iranian crew member to Oman for medical reasons and Saudi Arabia's efforts in releasing Iranian oil tanker Happiness 1.

12.07.2019 —
EDA
The Human Rights Council (HRC) concludes today its 41st session. Switzerland successfully presented two resolutions: the first one on forced and child marriage and the second on equal pay.

12.07.2019 —
EDA
The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, culminated his trip to the eastern Mediterranean with a visit to Turkey. During his meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, he spoke, among other things, about the open Cyprus question, human rights, and developments in Syria and their consequences for the region and Europe.